I'm still tired to write about the dragon boat competition held at Bedok this morning. I'll update this blog soon.
If you like to see some pictures, please visit my website. Comments (bad or negative) are welcome
http://www.photonski.com/sons_of_jorge/DragonBoat
Another busy weekend hit my schedule today.
This morning, I attended an outreach program of Photonski that was organized by Melvin and Jared. The theme of the activity was Creative Lighting System and macro photography. Actually, this activity was at first intended for Nikon user but was later opened to all other camera users. Most of the attendee were Nikon users, with 1 Olympus user. There were only four Canon users but with the proper setup and configuration of the flash, we were also able to achieve the Nikon's CLS setup.
Prior to the actual shoot, Melvin Vivas conducted an hour long lecture. He was good, mind you, and was able to clearly explain the purpose of CLS. Aside from Melvin, some advance photographers also shared their expertice and gave tips.
After the lecture, we were given an hour to setup and shoot. It was fun and very educational. Frankly, I learned a lot today. Then, Melvin choose some shoot and conducted Critique and Comments.
It was another successful outreach program. We learned new things and also meet some new photonski members.
Ever wonder that number stands for?
That's the longest commercial lens that any photographer can buy. And if you can afford the staggering price of over US$90k,
you have to wait at least 2 months before the item will be
delivered at your doorstep. Now, assuming you have the lens. You don't carry it with your camera and dongle it on your neck. That would be dangerous. A 16.5kgs lens may break your neck. The lens comes with a heavy duty tripod to support it weight and to preclude shake. Image Stabilizer (IS) is not yet available for this lens, and I doubt if it ever will.
In reality, there are only around a dozen of it in existence and mostly found in the US & Europe. Sports Illustrated got two and the billionare founder of Oakley has at least one, and of course the Canon Professional Services which they used for promotions. For some big time paparazzi, this is the ideal lens for stalking high profile celebrities.
There only two known in existence in Asia. And now, for the launching of 400D in Singapore, Canon showcase this extreme lens. The good thing is... the public can take a hands-on test and experience the power of the 1200mm lens.
Well, it's obvious that I was one of those who got lucky to hold it.
But I barely enjoyed testing it. I only have a minute and I don't have any subject that I can shoot. What can you shoot inside the booth? Nah.. nothing really. So what I did? I turn around the lens and position it to the street. I took a picture of some pedestrians who were over 500 meters away. Gee... I was amazed how far the lens can "see". If I attached a 2x extension tube, whoah, I could take a portrait of a person that is 1 km away.
Here's a sample of my test shots.
Oh take note... the people were very far from me such that my naked eye can't clearly see their face. Imagine extending your hand and comparing your finger nails with the size of their head - the nails are much bigger.
If I have US$90k... I will not buy this lens. hehehehe...
I was never a fan with motorcycles, much less big bikes. Yes, I could ride a single motorcycle but the last time I did that was sixteen years ago. How could I forgot? I still got the scar on my right elbow to remind me how I got so lucky and escape with my life. Huh! scary and still nerve chilling everytime I recall how I flew 15 feet ahead of my bike and landed with my arched arms and roll over perfectly. It's still amaze me when I think of how I did that. Oh! did I tell you that I was a champion taekwondo fighter in my younger years? hehehhee!
Anyway, back to bikes. I saw a post in the Photonski thread informing the team that there will be a Big Bike Festival at Clark Quay. It didn't get my attention at first, but when the succeeding posts in the thread mentioned about the Biker Babes competition, hah, that fired up my energies. This must be interesting, I thought. So I went there and check it out myself.
Well, the bikes were indeed big and beautiful. They came in different style, shape color, and sizes. Honestly, I couldn't appreciate the difference because for me, all of them were fantastic. A pretty girl - one of the crew - tried to explain the Ducati bike that I was looking at, and at the same time tried to sell me some tickets and bike accessories. Hehehe.. nice try but I didn't bite the bait. Instead, I ask them to pose with the bikes.
And the Biker Babe contest? Nah, it's not worth mentioning. 
Just like what I had suspected, it was a waste time.
Or maybe... they're just not my type. Like food. We pinoys like adobo while the locals here like laksa. I think, I have to adjust my expectations and criteria with what a local Singaporean thinks and see. I'll work on it.
I almost forgot to mention, there was a Harley Davidson Fashion show performed by prefessional caucasian models. Hehehe.. when the contestants stood beside these pretty models, what a sight!
If you like to see big bikes, i've posted some pictures in my site. Just don't expect any babes in there because there's none!
http://www.photonski.com/sons_of_jorge/BigBike
Yes, just like what i've written in the title of my blog today, I am at home, working.
You may think it's nice to stay home so you can enjoy the comfort of your living room, can watch TV while working, or sleep if you feel like sleeping, and more importantly no nosy boss around.. gee I tell you, it's not!
I still like my soft reclining chair in the office, the nice aircon, and fewer assignment. It's ironic that now I am working at home, I got more work to do. Just like today, I spent my whole day at OCBC trying to troubleshoot a customer's issue. If only I have a choice, I would skip this one. The cases were difficult, support was slow to provide help, and t'was too cold at the server room. The only consolation I got from this client (and the reason why I keep coming back here.. hehehehe) was the pretty smile of my contact person. She's pretty and smells good! Waaaah!! Oi, don't get me wrong. I am now a reformed man [lightning and thunders!!!!!]
You may ask why am I working at home? Hmm... I just like it. Hehhehe.. Kidding aside, there is an ongoing international event at the Suntec City - the IMF Worldbank meeting - and will run from Sep 10 to Sep 21. During these eleven days event, security in the area will be very strict and some roads will not be accessible. To preclude inconvenience among employees, most companies at Suntec opted work-at-home scheme. And we're one of them.
So, I am here at home... working (kaya?). hahahaha!
If you were reading my blog entries for the past few months, I would not wonder if you ask... "who are the photonski?"
Well, photonski was started five or four years ago by a group of photographers who came to Singapore for work. They were not professional photographers, but IT or career professionals who had this common burning passion with photography. From once a small informal gathering of friends, the group expanded and welcome other members - with only one qualification: Pinoy with passion for photography. Eventually, they establish a web site so they can have a common place to exhibit their work. I am not sure with my statistics, currently there are at least 30 very active members, and several dozens of lurkers. The biggest gathering of Pinoy shutterbugs in the island nation.
Photonski, like Singapore, is full of diverse and creative photo enthusiast. And like Singapore, they are unique and full of excitement. We may not agree all the time, may hurt each other's feeling in the pursuit of excellence, but we have one thing that all us agree... passion and happiness with photography. We are all certified "camera addicts"
If you like to see the faces of the photonski... take a visit at
http://www.photonski.com/klik88/Klik88
I over slept
I forgot that besides the Swarovski show at 3pm this afternoon, I still have to go to CentrePoint to see another fashion show at 1pm. And now, I woke up at around 11:30? Hah! I don't think I have enough time to prepare for lunch, prepare my gear, and for the travel. I takes at least 30 minutes of MRT travel time from Bedok to Somerset, and plus a 5 minutes bus from my flat to the interchange, tsk tsk tsk... I doubt if I ever could make it there on time. I thought of skipping the show abut I changed my mind along the way. I reached Somerset at around 1:10, and thought that I can still catch the last portion of the show. Well indeed, I made it.
But you know what? I didn't shoot. Why? hmm.. I've seen the show last week. The models were the same and the dress were the same. I just stayed at the corner and watch.
As usual, Jared and Melvin were there. They brought with them their visiting friend Archie whom I observed was fascinated with the city's glitz and activities. As I was talking to Archie, I heard Jared said some bad comments, in Pinoy language, against some Clubsnap photographers who were few meters away. I simply ignore it knowing Jared doesn't mean bad. But one tsekwa secretly came near me and said... "your friend ah..", then pout his lips towards Jared and shake his head. He gave me a silly grin and then went away. I was surprised with that and wanted to discuss it with Jared and Melvin, but held my horses just to preclude any trouble.
I went ahead of them to meet somebody at the Lucky Plaza. Then after that, I proceed to Raffles City Mall for the Swarovski show. Well, I was true with my promise. I was 45 minutes early.. and.. hehehe.. got a very nice spot in the front row. The result of course, was better shots.
On my way home, I saw Bhong and Glenn at the train. With no topic to talk about, I opened up the incident at the CentrePoint. Glenn smiled and told me about the heated exchange of comments at the ClubSnap Forum. Huh! That explains it. My photobuddy had pickup a little disagreement with the locals. I think, as a friend, I have to "moderate" him to slow down.
When I reach home, I immediately opened up the thread. Waah!! the topic was really chilly-hot, and the sad part... I saw my picture in there! Huh! this is bad. Really really bad.
Before I sleep, I'll share one pic that i've taken from the Swarovski show this afternoon. This may not be one of my best pictures, but this one is out-of-the-box. No editing, not enhancement, just basic photography. There is where my satisfaction is.
The fire is back!
It really helps to confide with fellow photograhers. They may not agree with you all the time, but at least they were there when you needed them the most. Now, the virus is active again. I am alive, kicking and excited to road test my camera.
At around 2pm, I went to Raffles City Mall to watch the Swarovski Show - a fahion show for jewelries. I may have arrived just in time when the show started but the problem was, I didn't have a good angle to shoot. The front rows and the sweet spots of the catwalk were all taken by the Clubsnap photographers who were came as early as 1 hour before the show. I tried to squeeze in but with only a 17-85mm medium zoom lens mounted on my camera, I could not get a shot without getting obstruction along my line of sight. Gee.. all the tsekwa on my side were using at least a 70-200mm telezoom lens. So no choice, I have to find a better spot. Luckily, I found one niche between the banner poles. To my surprise, Jared and Melvin were also situated nearby. We exchange few chit chats then concentrate back to business.
The show was good, the models were professionals, and the pacing of the show was photographer friendly. Meaning, we all have enough time to take pictures between poses and struts. The only complain I have was... I didn't got a good angle of view. Tsk tsk tsk... I will come back tomorrow.
After the show, I look around and saw the other photonski guys. They waived their hands to recognize our presence but they didn't come to our place. Unusual, I thought, but I let it pass. Anyway, I was busy testing the new camera of Melvin, and was also having a conversation with Archie - a Philippine based photographer who is visiting the city. Archie looks very familiar and I had a feeling that I have met him several years ago while I was working at Philcom.
We parted ways as they were going to Marina while I was going the opposite - to Orchard. On the train, I catch up with Bong and Glenn who were also going to Lucky Plaza. I brought up the topic of the workshop to see their view. Bong agrees with me that Manny could have done better if he didn't shoot and should have given the participants tips and ideas on what to see or observe. Glenn on the other hand was modest with his comment. He said that he learned techniques on lighting and discovered the secrets of Manny's photos. But on the latter end, he also gave comment that Manny may be a good photographer but he was not an effective teacher. Bingo! That makes four of us. heheheh... I was right all along.
I went home happy and relieve. Sus, I have wasted time and energy whining on some trivia things. From now on... back to photography.
Oh... yeah, I almost forgot, the Swarovski fashion show. Where am I? Ah, the show. Well, it was good and the models were pretty. I got some good shots but I am half hearted to show it to you now. I'll be back tomorrow and will come early to get a good spot. Promise, I'll post some pictures.
I receive a call today. When I answered the phone, the guy on the other line introduced himself as an immigration officer. I was quite surprised as I was not expecting any call from anybody, least the ICA. So I played along and ask why and what he needed. As the conversation goes on, I've detected a Filipino accent which made me suspicious that it was a frank call. Indeed, it was.
Francis, my fellow photonski photographer, called up and told me that he read my blog and learned of my frustration with the Librodo workshop. He concurred to my finding and also shared his "frustration". Now, I felt relieved. All the while I was thinking that I was wrong, but with Francis telling me the same findings, I got a fresh breath of air. Franz was laughing as I was whining for over an hour, and gently he console me that it was okay. He assured me that I was doing it right - the correct way to be a master photographer - and that is to achieve mastery of my pictures from out-of-the-box. Meaning, excellent technical and superb composition as what the the camera has captured and not relying on Photoshop.
An hour later, I also got a call from another photonski photographer from Tolitz. This time, he called not because of the workshop issue but because he was trying to arrange a meeting with me (he wants to return the lens that he tested). We already talked about the workshop last Monday and he agrees with me. He told me that I would easily fit to the category of "purist" photographers. I just smiled with his remarks and said that I like it. His parting words were soothing to my ears... he alwasy reminded me to go where I am happiest the most. And for me, I think I would prefer shooting than photoshop.
I felt good today. Just like what I've hope for, I did find an answer to my dilemma. I got it from Franz and Tolitz.
I went out of the house quite late today. I could have stayed the whole day only if I got a Sinigang mix, but I run out of stock. At around 3pm, I've decided to go to Lucky Plaza to buy some Pinoy food and and the same time follow up my Credit Card application at the OCBC Orchard MRT branch.
I didn't stayed long at Lucky Plaza. I couldn't bear the noise and crowd in the area, and I hate the sight of our Filipina "modern heroes" flirting with olive-colored guys. Let me clear myself, I am not against Filipina having foreigner boyfriends. What I loathe was the reality that most of these Filipina were married and these foreigners were like vultures who were taking advantage of them. Anyway, I'll not talk about it now. That' not what I wanted to share with you.
Okay, back to what I wanted to tell you. I was strolling along the Orchard road from Lucky Plaza with the intention of walking up to Plaza Singapura when I pass by at the Centrepoint. Since I was only doing street photography, I was though of taking a peep at the atrium to see what new inside. To my surprise, I saw Henry and Arjie setting up their gears. They told me the fashion show today was very good and the models were caucasians and professionals. Hmmm.. and indeed, the models were great and could pose very well. When Marjay appeared at the catwalk, I readily wave my hand to catch her attention. She just smiled when she saw me. Arjie and Henry, look surprised when they realized that one of the models recognize me.
Well, my day was good. I got good fashion show shots. 
Here's a sample of my take. More photos can be seen in my album:
http://www.photonski.com/sons_of_jorge/LeaveUOSBehind
Strange, I didn't felt excited to go out and shoot today. I usually had that fire in my belly when the first scent of Saturday comes into breeze. But not today, and I don't know why. I feel something was wrong with me. Perhaps the frustration has not yet set in, I guess, but I am optimistic that I could find an answer one of this days.
Anyway, I still went out today with my friends. I simply couldn't resist the temptation to take my camera for a stroll. Hah! What can I do? Either I'm infected with the shutter-virus or just a plain camera addict. Whatever!
We went to CentrePoint mall at Orchard to watch the Fashion Marathon. With what I've heard, the show would start from 1pm and would last until 5pm, hence we took our easy time and didn't bother to come early. And as expected, the Clubsnap guys were already filling the front rows when we arrived. We still found a good place though, and then started shooting. But.. ayahh.... the models where just not worth the click of my camera. Okay, given they are not professionals but ordinary "talents" that were pluck from obscurity, at least it would be nice if they knew how to walk properly. Problem was... they were not strutting at the catwalk, they were literally running. And when they pose? Hah! They would flick a pose for a fraction of second and then walk away. How could we take good pictures with that?
Don't ask me if I got good pictures, I didn't.
Frustrated, we went out and proceed to the the nearby Skating Park. We found it more satisfying and blissful watching the kids flying around with their skateboards and inline skates, than cursing the models who were murdering a decent fashion show.
I must admit, lately I had some cold feet with my hobby. My frustration has not yet departed from my mind and I have this doubts if my new "addiction" is worth all all the time I've spent. What this frustration is all about? Hah... just that.. I got disappointed thinking that to be a good photographer, all I need to do is master the basic elements of light, shadows, and artistic composition. But with what I learned last week, there a need to master photoshop too, just to enhance and make the picture much more "beautiful" (is there a word for that?).
Cold is my feet I may have said, but when Arjie told me that there will be a show tonight at the Padang for the opening of the Singapore Beinale - an Art Festival, I could hardly resist the temptation. And between cold feet and temptation, hehehe... I choose the one that I am happy the most.
And yes, I went to Padang to watch the Singapore Bienale show. Arjie and Jared were there too, and later Melvin joined too. We saw some local media celebrities, some local artists, and the Prime Minister. Then after the formal ceremonies, a fashion show and a rock concert followed. Of course I shoot and got some good photos. Here's a sample.
More pictures in my site
http://www.photonski.com/sons_of_jorge/Bienale
